Immunosuppressants are medicines that reduce or inhibit the action of the immune system, preventing the body’s healthy cells from being attacked and destroyed by the immune system itself, or reducing the production of substances that cause autoimmune diseases.
Therefore, immunosuppressive medications are generally indicated to prevent organ rejection after transplants, for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or psoriasis, or for the treatment of cancer, for example.
Immunosuppressants should only be used with medical advice and regular consultations to monitor the treatment and the appearance of side effects, as they can reduce the body’s ability to fight microorganisms and increase the risk of infections.
When they are indicated
Immunosuppressive medications are indicated for:
In addition, immunosuppressive medications are indicated for the prevention of organ transplantation, such as kidney, liver, heart, lung or pancreas, or bone marrow or stem cell transplantation.
Types of immunosuppressants
Some types of immunosuppressant medications include:
1. Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, dexamethasone or prednisolone, are the most common type of immunosuppressants, which act by reducing the production of inflammatory substances in the body and reducing the action of the immune system. Check out the main types of corticosteroids.
These drugs are normally indicated for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, preventing rejection after transplantation or as part of the treatment of some types of cancer, such as multiple myeloma, lymphomas or chronic lymphocytic leukemia, for example.
Read too: Immunosuppression: what it is, what it is for and diseases
2. Janus-Kinase Inhibitors
Janus-Kinase inhibitors, such as tofacitinib or ruxolitinib, act by inhibiting the production of cytokines, which are inflammatory substances, and are normally indicated to prevent the growth of tumors or increase sensitivity to chemotherapy treatment.
Therefore, this type of immunosuppressant is used in cases of cancer such as myelofibrosis or polycythemia vera, for example.
Furthermore, Janus-Kinase inhibitors may also be indicated for graft-versus-host disease, which is a complication that can arise after bone marrow or stem cell transplantation, when corticosteroids or other immunosuppressants have not been effective.
3. Calcineurin inhibitors
Calcineurin inhibitors, such as cyclosporine and tacrolimus, act by reducing the production of interleukins, which are substances related to increasing the activity of the immune system or cell division.
Thus, calcineurin inhibitors are normally indicated for the prevention or treatment of transplant rejection, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis or atopic dermatitis, for example.
4. Monoclonal antibodies
Monoclonal antibodies, such as rituximab, tocilizumab or adalimumab, for example, act in the body by blocking specific tumor cell proteins that make the tumor grow, or by inhibiting the production of inflammatory substances in the body, in the case of autoimmune diseases. Check out the main types of monoclonal antibodies.
Monoclonal antibodies are normally indicated for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, ankylosing spondylitis psoriasis, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, for example.
5. Biological agents
Biological agents, such as etanercept or anakinra, are immunosuppressants made from proteins that help reduce the action of the immune system and block the action of inflammatory substances.
Therefore, these immunosuppressive medications are normally indicated for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in adults or juvenile idiopathic arthritis, helping to alleviate symptoms such as pain or swelling in the joints.
Possible side effects
The most common side effect of immunosuppressants is an increased risk of infections, as they reduce the immune system’s action to fight viruses, bacteria or fungi.
In this way, the presence of an infection can be perceived through symptoms such as:
- Excessive tiredness;
- Feeling of weakness;
- Fever;
- Chills;
- Pale skin;
- Cough;
- Difficulty breathing;
- Pain in the lower back;
- Difficulty urinating;
- Pain or burning sensation when urinating;
- Sore throat or mouth ulcers;
- Dor abdominal.
If these symptoms appear, you should seek medical help immediately or the nearest emergency room so that the type of infection can be diagnosed and the most appropriate treatment can be started.
Furthermore, depending on the type of immunosuppressant used, side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, excess intestinal gas, dizziness, weight gain or loss, diabetes, acne, increased blood pressure, stomach pain may occur. or osteoporosis, for example.
Care during treatment
Some precautions are important during treatment with immunosuppressive medications, such as:
- Taking the immunosuppressant at the right times as directed by the doctor;
- Make regular medical appointments to monitor the effectiveness of treatment and the emergence of side effects;
- Avoid taking medication on your own and without medical recommendation;
- Do not increase or decrease the dose of the immunosuppressant without having been advised by a doctor;
- Do not interrupt treatment with the immunosuppressant on your own;
- Take vaccines only when recommended by your doctoras some vaccines with active or attenuated viruses are contraindicated during treatment;
- Wash your hands frequentlywith water and neutral soap, especially before and after going to the bathroom, eating, cooking, touching animals, gardening or changing the child’s diaper, for example;
- Apply alcohol gel to your hands often;
- Wash vegetables wellvegetables and fruits before eating;
- Avoid contact with people who have the flucolds or other types of infection;
- Avoid touching surfaces and putting your hands over your eyes, mouth or nose;
- Avoid staying indoors or with many people and little air circulation for a long time, such as shopping malls or gyms.
Furthermore, it is important to sleep at least 8 hours a night, practice physical activity regularly, as advised by your doctor, and have a balanced diet.
Who shouldn’t use
The use of immunosuppressive medications is contraindicated for people who are allergic to any of the components present in the formulas and for people who have active infections.
Is it safe to use during pregnancy?
The use of immunosuppressants during pregnancy is not recommended, as it may put the baby or mother at risk. Therefore, the use of these medicines by pregnant or breastfeeding women should only be done under the guidance of an obstetrician and when the benefits for the woman outweigh the potential risks for the baby.
